Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-05-05
SHIELDING THE TIMES.
DECISION OF THE GOVERNMENT ON THE
DILLON AFFAIR
A Lively Time In the HOuSe-4 Home Ruler Com
PEELED 70 Apologize-A Diversity Of Opinion in
LOndOa-AnOther Scare on the Frontier
The Gar Preparing for a Trip.

LONDON, May 4-The Right Hon. W. II.
Smith, First Lord of the Treasury, an
nounced in the House of Commons this
afternoon that the Government had re-
solved that the allegation that the state
ment by the London THueS-that Mr..
Dillon told falSehood while denying in
the House of Commons that papers utter
ances concerning his alleged relations with
Sheridan the Invipcible-was breach of
privilege, was not sustained by precedent.
Continuing, Mr.. Smith said it would he
against the dignity of the House to sum
mon the Times to the bar without previous
ly inquiring into the circumstances. The
gentleman below the gangway, Mr.. Smith
added asked that "A select committee be
allegations of the Times. The practice of
the House had been to divest itself AS far
as possible of judicial duty. The Govern
mcnt thought such committee as was
asked for, would be untitled to consider
such grave questions rs would have TO be
referred to it for decision. The Govern
ment, feeling it to he their duty to en-
deavor to solve the question, had instruct
ed the Attorney General and such Others
as he cared TO associate with him To prose-
cute the Times for the libel on Mr.. Dillon,
who was at liberty to select such counsel
Ia. II,
urged the House to accept the course pro-
posed.
\ HOME RULER COMPELLED TO APOLOGIZE.
Mr.. r. p. O'Connor condemned the
Governments decision i'll the Dillon case
Producing copy of the Times contain
ing the libel on Mr.. Dillon, and flourish
ing it aloft, Mr.. O'COnnOr said: ~ pur-
chased this copy OF the Times at one of the
book stalls owned by the Right Honorable
First Lord of the Treasury. 1t is he,
speaking for the Government, who says no
breach of privilege was committed. Irish
cheers. He is, therefore, deeply inter
ested rs a party i'll the case against the
editor of the Times The two men ought
to he in the dock together. The Irish
members reject his proposal ~ unfair, un
Just and unprecedented. The House of
Commons ought not to be taken in by a
cOllusiye act. y
Here Mr.. Edwin JIM. p. DE Lisle Con
servative) member for Middle Leicester
shire, arose TO point OF order. He said he
had heard Mr. Charles Kearns Deans Tan
ner Home Ruler member for Middle Cork
say the Conservatives were damned lot of
cads
"Irish vOices-''SO you are!"
Speaker Peel-"The Clerk of the House
will please see that the words are taken
down."
Mr.. Tanner denied that he had used the
word damned" lie repeated, however,
that the Conservatives were q lot of cads.
The Speaker said he must withdraw the
expression and apologize. Mr.. Tanner said
he would do so.
Sir VIM. Vernon Harcourt also denoun-
Ced the Governments proposal.
The affair was discussed at great length
Mt the Cabinet council to-day.
DEFENSE OF THE CHARGES.
The Times, in an editorial referring to
Mr. Lewis motion that the House of Com
mons lake nOllCe Ol lne ItWtS enaTBes
against Mr.. Dillon, says:
1--WE are unable to see why Mr.. Lewis
felt called upon to protest. We have no
objections to the issue being raised either
in or out of Parliament. Still we cannot
help regretting that urgent business should
be delayed even for day by debates upon
what we published in good faith and with
evidence cOntirmatOry of everything we
advanced. While we shrink from no form
of inquiry we do not think the House
would be well advised in dealing with the
question as one of privilege.
while not wishing to discuss the mer
its of the controversy at the present mo-
ment, we would say that no journal in the
United Kingdom, least of all the organs of
the Parncllites, would be safe for week
if it were held inadmissible to contradict
statements in the House. even though the
amplest proof be furnished at the time in
support of the contradiction. In clecting
to challenge this decision the Parnelltes
have chosen curiously narrow ground.
They must be aware that the statements
assailed as a breach of privilege must he
dealt with separately from other matters
that have hitherto been allowed to rem ain
untouched"